[05/07/12 - 12:30 PM]CBS.com Launches "CBS Connect," a New Social Hub Connecting Fans With Each Other and CBS StarsThe first live conversation will feature cast members of "NCIS: Los Angeles" during its two-hour season finale on May 15.

[via press release from CBS]

CBS.COM LAUNCHES "CBS CONNECT," A NEW SOCIAL HUB CONNECTING FANS WITH EACH OTHER AND CBS STARS

With Launch Sponsor Skype, CBS Connect will Feature Real-Time Social Conversations across all CBS Programs and Live Chat Events with CBS Stars and Creative Talent

NCIS: LOS ANGELES Cast To Host Live Tweeting Party on CBS Connect During Special Two-Hour May 15 Finale

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2012 - CBS Interactive Entertainment today launched "CBS Connect," a new social hub connecting fans through real-time conversation about their favorite shows across social media platforms. By logging on to www.CBS.com/connect, users have a single destination to access aggregated updates from Twitter and Facebook across CBS daytime, primetime and late-night shows. iPad, iPhone and Android users will also be able to access the mobile version of "CBS Connect."

CBS Connect will also give fans direct access to CBS stars and creative talent through live chat events. During the live chats, talent will answer questions from fans, who can submit their questions via Facebook and Twitter using the respective show hashtag. The first live conversation will feature select members from the cast of NCIS: LOS ANGELES during the East Coast airing of the May 15 two-hour season finale (9:00 - 11:00 PM, ET), including Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa and Renee Felice Smith. The schedule of live chat events can be found on the CBS Connect hub under the "Events" tab.

"We saw a huge response from fans during the week-long social events we have produced over the past year such as Tweet Week and Social Sweep Week," said Marc DeBevoise, Sr. Vice President and GM of Entertainment at CBS Interactive. "Instead of continuing to confine our social initiatives to special event weeks, we wanted to recognize and take advantage of the fact that every CBS program is an ongoing social experience. The goal is to give fans an easy way to find and interact with not only each other, but with CBS talent as well, and to do it cross-platform. The CBS Connect hub does just that, and ultimately provides our audience with the tools to enjoy a true second-screen experience."

The launch of CBS Connect is sponsored by Skype, whose video calling technology is being used within the CBS Connect hub to enable fans to add video to their social experience.

For more information on CBS Connect, please visit www.CBS.com/connect.